Tight Ends

Whilst it’s no secret that the Patriots are in dire need of some wide receiver talent, it appears that my most favoured position may be falling a little under the radar, but is perhaps a sneaky need of address on this Patriots offense. 

As we head into the 2025 NFL season the tight ends signed to the Patriots are a touch on the lopsided. 

The magnificent Hunter Henry (okay, some mild bias here) signed a three-year $27 million contract extension that takes him up until 2026 as possibly the Pats TE1. So that’s all great and good. He was a binky for Mac Jones and put up career high numbers back in 2021 under Josh McDaniels, and appeared to be a go to for the rookie Drake Maye in 2024 with 66 receptions, 694 yards and 2 touchdowns. Not earth-shattering I’ll grant you, but solid, sturdy, dependable, available… all those buzzwords that aren’t exciting but that I will take in many of my team’s players every day and twice on Sundays. 

Seventh round draftee Jaheim Bell is signed through to 2027 and spent virtually all of his rookie season as TE3 behind the aforementioned Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper – more on him later. Bell only registered 2 passes for 20 yards, but as is quite usual for a later round draft pick rookie, he spent the majority of his time on special teams. 

Two names you may not be familiar with signed through the 2025 season, are Jack Westover and Giovanni Ricci. Westover, a rookie free agent, arrived on the practice squad in October 2024 and played only three games, mostly on special teams and registered no statistics. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to believe if he sticks around that he will be more of a practice squad addition than much else. 

Ricci has a little more substance to his story and brings five NFL seasons experience to the team with 36 games, as well as some whispers of positional flexibility. 6 foot 4, 195 pounds Ricci has lined up as both a tight end and a fullback. There’s the F word that gives some of you tingles, and with the return of the Mc…Daniels, someone who has been known to favour a fullback on his offense, Ricci could be a more flexible TE3 on the active roster. 

So, from that we could glean that the Patriots have Mr TE1 in Hunter Henry, and whilst it’s one of those long shot type things, there are two candidates for TE3 in Ricci or Bell. But what about that second tight end needed for all that sexy 12 personnel that McDaniels is going to run? (Okay, okay, that I hope he runs).  

It feels that the re-signing/extending of 6 foot 4, 254 pound Austin Hooper should be a no-brainer. A veteran who was a starter-level contributor, Hooper built a good connection with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, and completed the season as one of the Patriots most productive pass catchers; 45 receptions for 476 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The downside in the (possibly) top two guys of Henry and Hooper, is that they are both 30 years old, and whilst I feel ridiculous saying 30 is old, it’s getting up there when it comes to the versatility and physicality of the position of tight end. So, whilst an investment in Hooper is necessary now, in my humble opinion of course, the investment in some youth from a stacked tight end draft this year is also imperative to create that future success the Patriots should now be chasing. Whilst I don’t regret the pickup of the awesome Christian Gonzalez, 2023 was stacked with tight endage and the Patriots missed… all of them. 

So, whilst the onus should definitely be upon securing that offensive line, finding that top wide receiver, and making the defense strong again, the future of the tight end should still be on the radar!

Don’t forget those exclusive Tight endage design t-shirts only available here at Pats Propaganda!

I don’t know about you lovely lot but this years draft buildup feels a little different than usual. I guess potentially drafting at three and desperately seeking a quarterback can do that to ya. 

So, whilst there is a huge flux, a back and forth of QB at three or trade back and stack, there is a general consensus that the Patriots could do with some tight end talent to develop. 

The contract negotiations, and retaining of Hunter Henry was a welcome spot of news to open up free agency, and not just for this particular tight end fan, of that I’m sure. 

Henry provides an element of stability, as well as maturity and top 20 tight end talent (according to PFF). With an offence that is in sever flux, bringing back the most successful tight end to grace the Patriots probably since Rob Gronkowski left, Henry did seem like a no-brainer. 

Predominately an inline and in the slot guy, Hunter knows his role and has even developed his blocking skill set too. He proved to be a decent security blanket for Mac Jones, with 9 touchdowns in 2021, Hunter potentially can be “the guy” for the next passer of the Patriots. 

The signing of previously of the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, the tight end Austin Hooper whilst not flashy, wasn’t too much of a surprise either. The Patriots are lacking in depth and bringing Hooper in is a solid move of security. 

Whilst a very similar skill set, and size to Hunter Henry, Hooper is a functioning stalemate blocker rather than a people mover and a prototypical in line option, and so even though this feels like a duplication of the Hunter Henry experience, it provides depth and stability in the case of any injury and the ability to run those 22 and 12 personnel sets that have us oh so tingly (okay that might just be me…).

Spending 72% of his snaps in Cleveland with Alex Van Pelt with his hand in the dirt, Hooper does occasionally flex into the slot and so gives AVP two solid, stable and reliable tight ends that he has familiarity with. 

So thats what the Patriots have… fancy a little look at what they could get, when it comes to tight endage?

With the sever needs the Patriots have at quarterback, wide receiver and the offensive line still, the tight end position is more than likely, if addressed, going to be in the later rounds, 4th and 5th most probably. 

To that end, the likes of Georgia superstar Brock Bowers and Ja’Tavion Sanders of Texas are too rich and we should just glance longingly and move it right along, and have a look at a small sample of more feasible tight endage for the NEP. 

Cade Stover of Ohio State may still be a little bit rich, currently a projected fourth rounder, but this versatile athlete caught my “sharp eye”. He switched between line backer and tight end as a Buckeye and he is a great blocker, something the Patriots could really do with. 

A well rounded player with natural athletic ability that showed in the combine. A great job in the sledge pushing exercise and light on his feet, Stover has been top of my tight end wish list since 2023. 

Ben Sinnott of Kansas State measured in at 6’4 with quick feet and the ability to speedily change direction. Unfortunately, whilst willing he isn’t the strongest of blockers and we know thats something needed for the Patriots. 

Theo Johnson, a mammoth of a man at 6’6 and 264lbs, runs like he is annoyed at the ground (just my unabridged opinion of his 40 run) and had a good sledge exercise performance at the combine. With his size and arm length Johnson is a versatile blocker but his lack of direction change limits his route tree. He is a man built for in line play. 

Dallin Holker of Colorado State made a little bit of a slash at the combine with his gauntlet run performance, catching a ball on the move whilst still holding a ball. 6’3 and 235 pounds, Holker has good hands and tracks the ball well. A natural mover he is a little on the smaller side and whilst a sound blocker, he isn’t imposing. 

Tip Reiman of Illinois definitely showed up in my notes many times. A late round projection, maybe in the 6th, this tight end had a really good combine performance. At 6’5 and 271 pounds he is a beefy looking guy with a strong lower half. Said to be a mauler in the run game Reiman had a stellar sledge exercise performance, keeping a flat back and great foot work with a smooth gauntlet run and nice hands. A very tight end looking tight end in my book. 

On my list since I saw him play last season, Jared Wiley is one of the tallest tight ends to measure in at 6’ 6 1/8 with long arms. A predominantly in line tight end that plays with speed, is willing to get physical with good catch talent. His foot work tends to be rather average and is projected more as a special teamer but there is definitely something to work with, especially with the added positive of his size. 

So there you have it, a smorgasbord of tight endage for you. Now, there are plenty of other potential positive prospects at the position, but we do only have so many hours in the day to peruse the subject of tight ends! Do not fear, if the Patriots take a tight end in the draft we shall be bringing you a nice selection of information on that player so just keep those eyes on Pats Propaganda!